The Christmas holiday is upon us and this time of year brings a flurry of activity on Ocracoke in anticipation of gatherings with family and friends, the end of a season, and preparations for upcoming trips during the winter. A greater number of island residents are considering off-island travel this January through March as the seven bridges that lead highway 12 to the northern end of Ocracoke and the Hatteras ferry will all be replaced this winter. During this period, residents and visitors with 4-wheel drive will be allowed to travel the length of the island on the beach from just north of the most northern bridge to just below the Ocracoke campground.
The safety of this route is largely dependent upon the tides, weather, and daylight hours. A larger number of Ocracoke businesses will be closing up shop this winter with tourist access limited to the mainland ferries.
December started cooler, but now the temperatures are up in the 60s, even at night. Last Wednesday was the annual Ocracoke Preservation Society Wassail Party and Christmas Tree Lighting. On Thursday, Ocrafolk performers gathered at the Deepwater Theater for an Ocrafolk Christmas Concert. Sundae Horn orchestrated this fundraiser for the Preservation Society which featured the talents of the MadriGals, Molly Lovejoy and Fiddler Dave, Ivey and Laura Belch & Sam Garris, Philip Howard, Jamie Tunnell, Molasses Creek, Coyote, Katy Wharton, Deanna Locke, April Trueblood, and John Golden.
Rounding out the Christmas week was Jimmy's Garage annual potluck and dance featuring Martin Garrish and the Ocracoke Rockers.
The holiday events keep rolling our way with the upcoming Cookie Swap at the Ocracoke Library, the Ocracoke School Christmas Program, and the Community Christmas Party. We'll be doing well if we can wring out all our antics before the bridges close on January 3rd. Hopefully construction will occur on schedule and the road will be ready for Easter visitors.
Molasses Creek Re-Releases "Ocracoke Island"
In 1993, Gary, Kitty and Fiddler Dave met, forming Molasses Creek and recording a Cd of original music after performing together just over four summer months. Little did they know that this inspired project would be the start of a long musical partnership that would inspire Deepwater Theater, the Ocrafolk Festival, Soundside Records, and 14 years of touring and performing (still happening).
Over the years, Creekheads (our most devout Molasses Creek fans) have approached us after concerts lamenting the unavailability of the original Molasses Creek Cd, and speaking sadly of the day they played the album its last time and the laser cut through the disc, player, and into the wood floor.
Well good friends, lament no longer.
Last week Gary Mitchell finished remastering this original album. It is now available once again & in time for Christmas (ship date is December 17)! Just like the cover photo, there are no strings attached on this album (well, you know what we mean!) Enjoy!
First Annual Ocrafolk School A Great Success
October 21-26, 2007 marked the beginning of a new chapter in ever expanding Ocrafolk legacy. That week 26 students and 10 staff and teachers gathered for the latest brain child of Ocrafolk Festival originator, Gary Mitchell. The Ocrafolk School brought together a group of artisans, historians, naturalists, and Ocracoke fanatics for a week of crafting, cooking, hiking, and learning from one another.
Classes included Basketmaking
Island Cooking
Jewelry Making
Island Photography
Ocrafolk Sampler: An Ocrafolk Sampler: Ocracoke’s History, Seafaring Traditions and Island Ecology
Intensive class time was balanced with wonderful island activities: Group meals featuring the local sea fare of the island, ghost and history walks, beach bonfires, flounder gigging and kayaking, sails on the schooner WINDFALL, and performances by members of the Ocrafolk Opry.
At the end of the session, students and teachers alike were reeling from the great inspirational buzz that developed out of this caring and supportive family. We look forward to folks joining the school for the second annual year, October 26-31, 2008.
Molasses Creek and Fiddler Dave albums now available through iTunes!
If you just can't wait for your albums to arrive in the mail from Soundside Records, instant gratification has arrived! Molasses Creek and Fiddler Dave albums are now available for digital download through iTunes record stores. You can purchase individual tracks or the whole shabang! You can also listen to clips from every track if you have the patience for that sort of thingy. Enjoy. . .
Happy Holidays!
Here are some upcoming performances for Molasses Creek and Ocrafolk Artists!
Upcoming Performances
December 31 -- Molasses Creek at First Night Williamsburg, VA. University Center - Chesapeake Room Concerts at 7:00, 9:00 & 11:00
January 19-20, 2008 – Molasses Creek & the Ocrafolk Opry concert with the Outer Banks Forum, Kitty Hawk, NC. Includes Coyote, Noah Paley, Bob Zentz, and more!
